Method and apparatus for stripping film from a film cartridge

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for stripping exposed film from a film cartridge and feeding the stripped film into a processor or onto a take-up reel. The stripping apparatus comprises a plurality of work stations spaced along the periphery of a circular work table for supporting one or more film cartridges. The cartridges are of the type having a spool of film, an anti-backup ratchet to prevent rotation of the spool in a direction to permit stripping the film from the cartridge, and an exposure aperture against which the film is pressed by a pressure plate. The work table is indexed in steps for transporting each film cartridge successively through the work stations. At the first station, a code on the film cartridge such as a notch is sensed by any suitable sensing mechanism. If the correct code is sensed indicating a predetermined type of film, a film advancing mechanism and a pawl and ratchet disabling mechanism at the first station are operated. After the ratchet is disabled, the enabled film advancing mechanism engages the film in the cartridge and advances the film adjacent the leading end through the cartridge aperture forming a film loop extending out of the cartridge. Upon signal by the operator or operator controlled mechanical element of the system, the work table is indexed advancing the cartridge to the second station where the film cartridge pressure plate and antibackup ratchet are both disabled. The operator preferably manually grasps the film loop and splices it to the trailing end of the previous film strip, and a film feeder in engagement therewith strips the film from the cartridge and into a slack box. After the film has been stripped from the cartridge, the operator preferably severs the film from the cartridge, and actuates an indexing mechanism for indexing the work table one station. When the work table and cartridge reach the ejecting station, the empty cartridge is automatically ejected.

United States Patent 1 Scappator et al.

[ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING FILM FRoM A FILM CARTRIDGE [75]inventors: Vincent S. Scaippator, Buffalo; Allan S. Yetter, Rochester,both of N.Y.

[73} Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, N.Y.

22 Filed: Nov. 12, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 198,168

[52] US. Cl. 29/200 D, 29/208 E, 29/208 F,

225/23, 225/93, 408/87 [51] Int. Cl B231) 19/00, B23p 19/04 [58] Fieldof Search 29/200 D, 430, 407,

29/200 R, 200 B,-'208 F, 208 C, 208 E, 208 I D; 225/23, 2, 96, 93;408/87 [5 6] References Cited Primary Examiner-Thomas l-l. EagerAttorney--William T. French et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for stripping exposed film from afilm cartridge and feeding the stripped film into a processor or onto atake-up reel. The stripping-apparatus comprises a plurality of workstations spaced along the periphery of a circular work table forsupporting one or more film cartridges. The cartridges are of the typehaving a spool of film, an anti-backup ratchet to prevent rotation ofthe spool in a direction to permit stripping the film from thecartridge, and an exposure aperture against which the film is pressed bya pressure plate. The work table is indexed in steps for transportingeach film cartridge successively through the work stations. At the firststation, a code on the film cartridge such as a notch is sensed by anysuitable sensing mechanism. If the correct code is sensed indicating apredetermined type of film, a film advancing mechanism and a pawl andratchet disabling mechanism at the first station are operated. After theratchet is disabled, the enabled film advancing mechanism engages thefilm in the cartridge and advances the film adjacent the leading endthrough the cartridge aperture forming a film loop extending out ofthecartridge. Upon signal by the operator or operator controlled mechanicalelement of the system, the work table is indexed advancing the cartridgeto the second station where the film cartridge pressure plate andantibackup ratchet are both disabled. The operator preferably manuallygrasps the film loop and splices it to the trailing end of the previousfilm strip, and a film feeder in engagement therewith strips the filmfrom the cartridge and into a slack box. After the film has beenstripped from the cartridge, the operator preferably severs the filmfrom the cartridge, and actuates an indexing mechanism for indexing thework table one station. When the work table and cartridge reach theejecting station, the empty cartridge is automatically ejected.

13 Claims, 6 DrawingFigures Pmmfnucrao ma 3.768.133 sum 2 or 4 EF P L 20V/NCENTS. .SCAPPATOR ALLA/V 5. YETTER INVENTORS ATTORNEY PAIENIEMmo 192sSHEEI t DF 4 Sid/re Cylinder 86 Sfafion 2 Eject ,04 /03 Cylinder HeadCylinder Wheel Cylinder Tab/6 Cylinder VINCE/V75. SCA PPA ran ALLA/V aYETTER INVENTORS A TTOR/VEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING FILM FROMA FILM CARTRIDGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the lnventionThis invention relates generally to film cartridges, and morespecifically to a method and apparatus for stripping exposed film from afilm cartridge for processing. I

2. Description of the Prior Art lt is known in the photographic art toprovide cartridge openers for use in dark rooms which generally includea hole saw or spinning cutter which cuts through the plastic case of afilm cartridge and provides an opening of sufficient size to remove theexposed film therefrom. A cartridge opening device of this general typeis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,042. It is further known toprovide'a cartridge openingdevice for breaking open expendable filmcartridges to remove the exposed film therefrom. Such a cartridgeopening device is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,265,263. One of thedisadvantages of such prior art cart ridge opening devices is thatgenerally bits of plastic are produced during the opening of thecartridge which might inadvertently engage the exposed film and scratchor otherwise damage the emulsion during the processing procedure.

After a film cartridge containing exposed film is opened, the film maybe removed therefrom in different ways. If the processor is one whohandles a large volume of film, he will probably pull the end of thefilm from the cartridge, splice it to a leader or other film on a largerewind wheel, and withdraw the film from the take-up spool in thecartridge while the spool is maintained in a rotatable state in theopened cartridge. On the other hand, if the processor is one having asmaller volume of business, he might want to remove the entire take-upspool from the cartridge and place it on a spindle from which the filmcan be withdrawn and wound onto a large processing supply reel, or feddirectly into a processing tank adapted to handle short lengths of film.in any case, the opening of the cartridge and the removal of the filmtherefrom must be done in the dark because the exposed film is stillsensitive to light. The cartridge opening and film removal must be donein such a manner that the processor does not lose control of the spoolof film in the cartridge, and no chips of plastic are generated duringthe opening of the cartridge which might inadvertently scratch or damagethe SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention includes within its scope amethod and apparatus for'stripping exposed film from a film cartridgefor processing. A plurality of angularly spacedapart work stations arearranged around the periphery of a circular, rotatable work tablelocated in a dark room adjacent a processing station. The work tablesupports one or more film cartridges of the type having a spool of film,an antibackup ratchet to prevent rotation of the spool in a direction topermit unwinding or stripping of film from the cartridge, and anexposure aperture against which the film is pressed by an apertureplate. The film cartridges are advanced in succession through the workstations. Since film cartridges received from customers by the processorcontain different types of film requiring different processing, the filmcartridges are initially sorted at the receiving station,

- vided at the first station of each work table for sensing notches orthe like on the cartridge indicating the type of film contained therein.If the film cartridge and film contained therein is not the correcttype, the antibackup ratchet disabling means and film advancing meanswhich are also positioned at the first station are not operated. If thefilm is the correct type for the processing procedure which is normallythe case, the ratchet disabling means and film advancing means areoperated causing the ratchet to be temporarily disabled, and the filmadjacent the leading end within the cartridge to be advanced through thecartridge exposure aperture in the form of a short film loop. The worktable upon signal of the operator or operator controlled mechanism isthen indexed by any suitable commercially available indexing mechanismfor advancing the cartridge from the first station to the secondstation. When the cartridge reaches the second station, the pressureplate and antibackup ratchet on the cartridge are automaticallydisabled, and the film is free to be stripped from the cartridge. Theprocessor grasps the previously formed film loop extending from thecartridge, splices it to the trailing end of the previous film strip,and actuates a film feeder comprising film strippingrollers or the likein engagement with the previous film strip for stripping the film athigh speed from the cartridge and feeding it into any suitable slackbox. The film in the slack box may be wound onto a take-up reel rotatedby any suitable drive means at low speed, or fed directly into aprocessing device, preferably via a leader.

After the film has been stripped from the cartridge at the secondstation, the operator severs the trailing end of the film from thecartridge spool, and such action may be designed to actuate the worktable indexing mechanism for advancing the empty cartridge a single stepto an inactive station. Upon subsequent operation of the indexingmechanism, the cartridge isradvanced to an ejecting station where thecartridge is ejected from thework table into any suitable receptacle.

If a cartridge contains film requiring a different processing procedure,the sensing mechanism at the first station will not respond to the codemarks on the cartridge, and the ratchet disabling means andfilm'advancing means at the first station will not be enabled oroperated to disable the ratchet and advance the film.

At the same time, an annunciator in the form of a light is actuatedvisually indicating that an improper cartridge is being sensed. When theproper cartridge is advanced by the work table to the second station,the operator manually senses the absence of a film loop when he attemptsto grasp it for removal from the cartridge, and confirms this bychecking the indicator light. The operator removes the cartridge, placesit into a folder, and then into a discharge bin from which it istransported to the work table at a processing station having aprocessing procedure compatible with the type of film in the cartridge.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a methodand apparatus for stripping exposed film from a film cartridge withoutbreaking open or cutting the cartridge.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and methodfor stripping exposed film from a film cartridge that is of simpledesign and construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation,and economical to manufacture.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method andapparatus for stripping film from a film cartridge under darkroomconditions in which manual operations are minimized.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus forstripping exposed film from a film cartridge in which film damage due tothe generation of plastic chips from breaking or cutting the cartridgeis eliminated.

The invention and its objects and advantages will become more apparentfrom the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presentedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevational view ofa film stripping apparatus forpracticing the film stripping method of this invention, and in which anL-shaped support plate and ratchet disabling means supported thereby areshown dotted for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the filmadvancing means and cartridge sensing means omitted for purposes ofclarity;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a segmental view of a cartridge with the top cover removed toillustrate the pressure plate, spool ratchet and film loop;

FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram for the film strippingapparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the pneumatic system for the filmstripping apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Because film cartridges andprocessing apparatus are well known, the present description will bedirected in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating moredirectly with the present invention. Film cartridge elements andprocessing apparatus not specifically shown or described herein shouldbe understood to be selectable from those known in the art.

With reference to the drawings, the stripping apparatus of thisinvention is mounted on a vertically upstanding base plate 6 secured byribs 8 and a laterally extending flange 10 to any suitable support suchas a table 12 or the like, as best seen in FIG. 3. A commerciallyavailable indexing fixture 14 is secured to plate 6 by any suitablemeans, and operated by an air cylinder 16 for intermittently indexing in90 steps a circular feed table 18, which is rotatably supported byfixture 14. The feed table 18 has a spindle 21 onto which a circularwork table is mounted and secured to table 18 by screws 22. The worktable 20 has a plurality of 90 angle irons 24 laterally extending fromthe work table and provided with inwardly extending ribs 26. The angleirons 24 are secured to the upper surface of table 20 by welding or thelike, and arranged to form four film cartridge nests or receptacles 27angularly spaced apart. A film cartridge 28 (FIGS. 1 and 4) may bemanually oriented with its aperture in a downward position, and insertedfrom the center of work table 20 into the lowermost receptacle to thedotted position seen in FIG. 1. During such insertion, the cartridge 28depresses a spring 30 having one end secured to feed table 18 and itsfree end extending through an opening in work table 20. When fullyinserted, the free end of spring 30 provides a releasable stop for therear end of cartridge 28. The work table 20 is releasably held by adetent means with the receptacles 27 in register with a plurality ofwork stations 5,, S S and S angularly spaced 90 apart around theperiphery of work table 20. The detent means comprises a lever 32 (FIGS.1 and 2) having a slot at one end for receiving a roller 34 mounted on ashaft 36 journaled in the lever end. The roller 34 is biased by a spring37 into engagement with the periphery of work table 20, and rides on theperiphery and nests in suitable notches 38 therein angularly spaced 90apart for properly positioning the work table relative to the workstations. The work table 20 may be surrounded by any suitable laterallyextending pins 40 (FIGS. 1 and 3) secured to base plate 6 to whicharcuate guard rods 42 are secured, with appropriate access openings atthe work stations 3,5 and 5,. As mentioned heretofore, film cartridges28 received from customers normally contain different types of filmrequiring different processing procedures. This necessitates some means,not shown, of presorting the cartridges so that film of the same type issupplied to the proper work place for processing. To insure against anoccasional cartridge or tray of cartridges containing one type of filmfrom being processed in a processing precedure and chemicals designed toprocess a different type of film, reciprocally movable sensing means ofany suitable type is located at work station S (located at the 6 oclockposition in FIG. 1) for sensing each of the film cartridges 28 initiallymanually inserted into the receptacle 27 in alignment with station S Ifa cartridge contains film of a type requiring a different processingprocedure, antibackup rachet disabling means for disabling the cartridgeratchet to permit film advance and film advancing means for advancingfilm from the cartridge at station 8,, and to be described hereinafter,remain in their normal retracted position. However, if the cartridgecontains the right type of film to be processed, the film advancingmeans and antibackup ratchet disabling means are actuated or advancedfor disabling the antibackup rachet and engaging and advancing film fromcartridge 28 to form a film loop 43 adjacent the end of the film andextending out of the cartridge aperture 45 as best seen in FIG. 4.

To achieve the cartridge sensing and film advancing functions at stationS a U-shaped support bracket 44 (see FIG. 1 and 3) is secured to a bedplate 46 having a longitudinal slot 48 for receiving a complementary way50 on a rigid bracket 52 mounted on base plate 6. Way 50 slidablysupports bed plate 46 and bracket 44 for reciprocal movement in avertical direction between a normal inactive or retracted position andan active or advanced position. The support bracket 44 has posts 54 forslidably supporting a sensing air nanifold 56 having a sensing head 58biased by springs 60 toward the cartridge. The sensing head 58 has airports, not shown, and the head is held by springs 60 in firm engagementwith the notched surface, not shown, of

cartridge 28 when bracket 44 is in its advanced position as seen inFIGS. 1 and 3. Depending upon the position of the notches in thecartridge, the sensing head 58 generates back pressure through airnozzles 62 in manifold 56 for controlling a detector contact switch DC-l(FIG. 5) coupled to the film advancingmeans and antibackup ratchetdisabling means to be described hereinafter. If a cartridge contains atype of film to be processed by a different processing procedure, theback pressure is not generated and the detector "switch DC-l remainsopen; such switch being closed to enable the film advancing means andantibackup clutch disabling means only when the notches in a cartridgecontaining the correct type of film are sensed. Although the sensingmeans 58 is shown as a fluidic'sensor, any other suitable sensing meansmay be used that is capable of sens-i ing notches or other indicia oncartridge 28, and in response thereto enabling the film advancing meansand antibackup ratchet disabling means. The bracket 44 is movablebetween its normal inactive or retracted position in which head 58 iswithdrawn from cartridge 28, and its active or advanced position inwhich head 58 engages the notched surface of the cartridge by'anysuitable means such as an air cylinder 64 having a cylinder rod 66secured to bracket 44. The air cylinder 64 is actuated through anysuitable pneumatic system including a solenoid operated air valve SV-3(See FIG. 6) by normally open switch S'-9 (see FIG. l) which is closedby the insertion of a cartridge 28 into receptacle 27 at station 8,. Asbracket 44 is moved to its advanced position, a pin 70 (see FIG. 3)secured thereto engages a slot, not shown, in cartridge 28 for laterallyorienting the cartridge relative tosensing head 58. The freely floatingsensing head 58 firmly. engages the notched wall of the cartridge andforces the cartridge into engagement with spring 30.

The film advancing means at station S, comprises a film advancing wheel71 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) mounted on a shaft 74 rotatably supported bybracket 44, and movable into the cartridge exposure aperture and into.frictional driving engagement with the film when support bracket 44 ismoved to its active advanced position. The shaft 74 and wheel 72are-driven for advancing the film adjacent the film-end out of thecartridge aperture 45.to provide film loop 43 as best seen in FIG. 4.The wheel drive means comprises any suitable means such as a gear 76 onshaft 74 which is in meshing engagement with a rack 78 guided by a frame80 and reciprocally driven .by any suitable air cylinder 82 through asolenoid operated air valve SV-S (FIG. 6).

The antibackup ratchet disabling means at stations S and S (located atthe 9 0'clock position) each respectively comprises a tapered punch orstake 84, 84 coupled to or forming part of a cylinder rod of an aircylin-' der 8 6, 86' for piercing a wall of the cartridge and camming aclutch arm 88 (FIG. 4) into an inoperative position in which it is nolonger engageable with a ratchet 90, and hence is ineffective to preventrotation of the cartridge spool 91 in a direction for unwinding or stripping film from the cartridge. The cylinders 86, 86 are mounted bybrackets 92, 92 to an L-shaped plate 94 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) secured tobase plate 6 by nuts and bolts 96. The air cylinders 86, 86 arecontrolled by solenoid operated air valves SV-4 and SV-l respectivelysuch that stake 84 at station S is normally in a retracted positionwhereas stake 84' at station S is normally in its advanced positionextending into a receptacle 27. Upon movement of stake 84 at station Sfrom its normal retracted position as seen in full lines in FIG. 2 toits advanced position as seen dotted in FIG. 2, stake 84 passes throughopening 98 in plate 94 and pierces the cartridge side wall to disablethe cartridge antibackup ratchet (FIG. 4) by camming arm 88 out ofengagement therewith. The pressure applied to stake 84 at station 8 bythe pneumatic system is insufficient to pierce the cartridge wall inorder to prevent damage to cartridges that are rejected by the sensingsystem (contains improper film for the processing chemistry) and hencenot pierced at station S The pressure is sufficient to force stake 84through the opening previously made by stake 84 in acceptable cartridgesat station S The sensing head 58, wheel 72 and stake 84 at station 8,remain advanced and operative a sufficient period of time established byany suitable electrical or mechanical timing means T-2 and T-3 (FIG. 5)to accomplish their objectives. After the established time period,bracket 44 is returned by cylinder 64 to its retracted positionwithdrawing sensing head 58 and film advancing wheel 72 from cartridge28. In addition, wheel stake and st 84 are returned by cylinders 82, 86respectively to their normal retracted positions. Upon manual ormechanical actuation of switches S-1 and S-2 (FIG. 5) by the operator atwork station S work table 20 is indexed 90 by cylinder 16 moving thefilm cartridge from station 8 into alignment with station S At workstation S the cartridge pressure plate 93 (FIG. 4) is automaticallydisabled, as well as the antibackup ratchet 90 of the film cartridge topermit grasping the film loop, splicing it to the trailing end of theprevious film strip, and actuating the film feeder for stripping thefilm from the cartridge into a slack box, not shown. The mechanismfor'disabling pressure plate 93 comprises a roller 100 rotatably mountedon detent roller shaft 36 in a slot adjacent roller 34 as best seen inFIG. 2. The roller 100 is automatically movable by the detent leverspring 37 into engagement with opposite edges of pressure plate 93 formoving the pressure plate away from the film simultaneously as detentroller 34 bottoms in a notch 38 on work table 20. The roller 100preferably has a peripheral centergroove in register with the imageframes on the film so that the image portion of the film is not engagedby the roller. In addition, solenoid'valve SV-l of the antibackupratchet disabling means at station S is de-energized by the opening ofswitch CT'-1 by timer T-l (FIG. 5) causing cylinder 86' to drive stake84' through the opening in the wall of cartridge 28 previously formed bystake 84 at station S and withdraw clutch arm 88 from ratchet 90. Afterratchet 90 is disabled, the operator grasps the film loop 43 of thefilm, splices it to the trailing end of the previous film strip, andactuates a film transport means, not shown, such as a pair of opposeddrive rollers in engagement with the previous film strip for strippingthe film from the cartridge and into a slack box, not shown. While thefilm stripping operation is taking place at station S another filmcartridge 28 is inserted at station S closing switch S-9. This actuatesair cylinder 64 through valve SV-3 for moving bracket 44 to its advancedposition where sensing head 58 senses the cartridge notches, and if thecartridge contains the proper type of film, actuates stake 84 fordisabling antibackup ratchet 90. In addition, the film advancing wheel72 is actuated through cylinder 82 and valve SV-S (FIG. 6) for advancinga loop of film 43. After all of the film has been stripped from thecartridge at station 8;, the operator severs the film from the cartridgespool, and either through such action or manually actuates switches S-1and 8-2 connected to the indexing mechanism for indexing work table 20through an angle of 90 advancing the empty cartridge to inactive stationS located at the 12 oclock position in FIG. 1, and advancing thecartridge from station S to station S Following the performance of theaforementioned operations at stations 5, and 8;, table 20 is againindexed 90 advancing the empty cartridge from station 5:; to theejecting station 8,, located at the 3 oclock position in FIG. 1.

Tile ejecting mechanism at ejecting station 8., comprises an aircylinder 103 for reciprocally moving a cylinder rod 104 to which acartridge pusher or ejector is secured comprising a flange 106 having adepending pin 108. The cylinder 103 is actuated by any suitable airpressure source through valve SV-l (FIG. 6) for movement of cylinder rod104 and pin 108 between a normal ejecting position in which pin 108 iswithin cartridge receptacle 26, and a retracted position in which thepin is withdrawn from the receptacle. When table is indexed a 90increment to advance an empty cartridge from station 8;, to ejectingstation S.,, the indexing mechanism as it nears the end of its advancecloses switch 8-8 to timer T-l opening switch CT-l after a predeterminedtime set by timer T-l. This automatically de-energizes valve SV-l forcylinder 103 causing cylinder rod 104 to move from its retractedposition to its normal advanced ejecting position. Such movement causespin 108 to enter the receptacle at station 8,, and to engage and ejectthe empty cartridge 28 from the receptacle into any suitable storage binor the like, not shown.

The operation of the film stripping apparatus of this invention will nowbe fully described with particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In thenormal position of the stripping mechanism, stake 84 at station S is inits advanced ratchet disabling position, pressure plate disabling wheel100 at station S is in the pressure plate disabling position, andejecting pin 108 at station 8., is in the ejecting position. Theoperator normally initiates a cycle of operation by manually closing thenormally open spaced apart switches S-1 and 8-2 (FIG. 5) designed tominimize injury to the operator by requiring the operator to use bothhands simultaneously. If desired, the cycle of operation may beinitiated by the closing of switches 5-1, 8-2 by something other thanmanual means such as by another machine function, namely operation ofthe film cut-off knife, splicer, or the like. Power is connected tosolenoid valve SV-l which directs air under pressure to stake cylinder86' at station S and ejecting cylinder 103 causing stake 84' andejecting pin 108 to be retracted clear of the respective cartridgereceptacles 27. The holding relay R-l is also energized for closingnormally open relay switch contact CR-l which through a normally closedcontact CTl maintains solenoid valve SV-l in an energized state whenswitches S-1 and 8-2 are released. When the ratchet disabling andejecting mechanisms including stake 84 and pin 108 are moved to theirwithdrawin or retracted positions, microswitches S-3 and 8-4respectively are mechanically closed by the mechanisms for completing acircuit to relay R-2 through switches S-5 and 8-6 (closed respectivelyby head 58 and stake 84 at station S in their normal retractedpositions). Energized relay R-2 closes normally open contact CR-2 forenergizing solenoid valve SV-2 for directing air under pressure to tablecylinder 16 for indexing table 20. When the table has indexedapproximately it closes a microswitch S-8 for connecting power to timerT-l which after a predetermined time interval opens normally closedtimer contact CT-l. This de-energizes solenoid valve SV-l causingcylinders 86, 103 to return stake 84' at station S and ejecter pin 108to their normal advanced positions within their corresponding cartridgereceptacles 27.

Now to strip film from cartridges 28, the operator removes a cartridgefrom the cartridge tray, orients the cartridge with aperture 45 pointingdown, and inserts it into a receptacle 27 at station 8,. When thecartridge bottoms in the receptacle, it closes switch S-9 connectingpower through a normally closed timer contact CT-2 to solenoid valveSV-3 of head cylinder 64. Energization of solenoid SV-3 causes cylinder64 to move head 58 to its advanced sensing position. At the same time, atimer T-2 is actuated which after a predetermined time such as 3 secondsopens normally closed timer contact CT-2 for de-energizing solenoidvalve SV-3 and returning head 58 to its normal retracted po sitionfollowing the sensing operation. If the cartridge contains the type offilm that is compatible with the processing procedure, pressure-sensitvedetector switch contact DC-l is closed by the sensing means 56, 58connecting power through a normally closed timer contact switch CT-3 tosolenoid valve SV-4 for the stake cylinder 86 at station S Energizationof solenoid valve SV-4 directs air under pressure to cylinder 86 causingstake 84 to move to its ratchet disabling position. The closed detectorswitch DC-l further energizes a holding relay R-3 for closing normallyopen relay contact CR-3 for maintaining solenoid valve SV-4 in itsenergized state even though detector switch DC-l opens upon return ofthe sensing head 58 to its normal position. As stake 84 advances to itsratchet disabling position, it closes microswitch S-10 through anysuitable coupling, not shown, for connecting power to solenoid valveSV-5 for film transport wheel 72. The valve directs air under pressureto cylinder 82 for driving the wheel causing a loop of film 43 to beadvanced from the cartridge as best seen in FIG. 4. The closing ofnormally open detector switch contact CD-l also actuates a timer T-3which after a time period of approximately 4 seconds opens the normallyclosed timer contact CT-3, disconnecting power to relay R-3 and timerT-3, and de-energizing solenoid valve SV-4 which returns stake 84 to itsnormal retracted position. This action mechanically opens, switch S-10,de-energizing solenoid valve SV-S for returning transport wheel 72 toits normal retracted position.

In the event a cartridge is introduced into a receptacle at station Scontaining film that is not compatible with the processing procedure atthe processing station, the detector switch DC-1 remains in its normalopen position. Accordingly, solenoid valves SV-4 and SV-S remainde-energized, and stake 84 and film transport wheel 72 controlledthereby remain in their normal retracted positions. Accordingly, a filmloop 43 is not formed at station S and when table 20 is indexed formoving the cartridge to station S the operator can sense by touch thelack of a film loop. The operator confirms that the film is incompatiblewith the processing procedure by'checking the annunciator, and if litcan then manually move switch 8-7 to the cartridge release contactposition (CRP) energizing solenoid SV-l for moving stake 84 to itsretracted position. This permits the operator to withdraw the cartridgefrom the receptacle at station S and place it in a discard bin forreturn to the proper processing station. The operator can then initiatea table advance by closing switches 8-1 and 8-2 for indexing tablethrough 90, such action closing switch 8-8 which through timer T-l andcontact CT-ll de-energizes solenoid valve SV-l for returning stake 84'at station S and ejector pin 104' to their normal advanced positionsextending into their corresponding cartridge receptacles.

In the event a film loop 43 is not formed at station S for a cartridgecontaining film that is compatible with the processing procedure, due tomalfunction of the loop former mechanism, or the like, the operator willcheck the annunciator, and if unlit will manually remove the film endfrom the cartridge and proceed to splice and strip. An interlock may beprovided actuated by any suitable signal such as the signal which lightsthe annunciator for disabling the take-up means so that film cannot bestripped from the cartridge and fed into the slack box. The interlockmay be returned to its unactuated conditionby any suitable means such asremoving the cartridge at station S moving switch 5-7 to the cartridgerelease position, or by the action of the removing pressure roller 100from the cartridge operation.

This invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described hereinabove.

We claim:

1. In a mechanism to facilitate stripping film from a film cartridge ofthe type having a film pressure plate and an antibackup ratchet, thecombination comprising:

means for intermittently transporting a film cartridge in sequencethroughfirst, second and third work stations; 1 means at said first workstation for temporarily disabling the antibackup ratchet and foradvancing film in the form of a film loop from the cartridge; means atsaid second work station spaced from said first work station for againtemporarily disabling the antibackup ratchet in the cartridge to allowthe film loop to be pulled and the film stripped from the cartridge; andmeans at said third work station spaced from said second work stationfor ejecting the stripped catridge. 1 g

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said film advancing meanscomprises a friction roller movable into driving engagement with thefilm.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said film advancing meanscomprises a friction roller movable into driving engagement with thefilm, a gear secured to said roller, and a reciprocally movable gearrack for driving said gear.

4. The invention according to claim 1, and further comprising a filmpressure plate disabling means for disabling the pressure plate when thecartridge is at said second station, and said ratchet disabling meanscomprises a power driven stake for piercing the cartridge and engagingand disabling the ratchet.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said ejecting meanscomprises a power operated pusher.

6. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said transporting meanscomprises a rotatable table for supporting one or more cartridges inspaced relation, and means for indexing said table to intermittentlyadvance the cartridge in sequence through said first, second and thirdwork stations.

7. The invention according to claim 1 and further including sensingmeans at said first station for sensing a predetermined cartridge, andin response thereto to enable said film advancing means and said ratchetdisabling means.

8. In a mechanism to facilitate stripping film from a film cartridge ofthe type having a film pressure plate at the cartridge exposure aperturefor pressing the film against the aperture, and an antibackup one-wayratchet for preventing reverse rotation of the film, and

combination comprising:

a rotatable work table having a plurality of angularly spacedreceptacles for receiving film cartridges; means for indexing said worktable to intermittently advance each film cartridge in sequence throughfirst, second and third work stations arranged around the periphery ofsaid work table; means including a friction roller at said first workstation for engaging and advancing film in the form of a film loop froma cartridge; means including a power driven stake at said first andsecond work stations for piercing a cartridge and engaging andtemporarily disabling the antibackup ratchet; means including a pressureroller at said second work station for engaging and disabling the filmpressure plate in the cartridge to facilitate stripping the film fromthe cartridge when the film loop is grasped and pulled; and meansincluding a power driven pusher at said third .work station spaced fromsaid second work station for ejecting the stripped cartridge. 9. Theinvention according to claim 8 and further including sensing means atsaid first station for sensing a predetermined cartridge, and inresponse thereto to actuate said film advancing means.

10. The invention according to claim 8 and further including sensingmeans at said first station movable from a retracted position to anadvanced position from sensing a predetermined cartridge, first powermeans for said sensing means actuatable by the positioning of acartridge at the first station for moving said sensing means to itsadvanced position and said friction roller into engagement with thefilm, and second power means for said film advancing means responsive tosaid cartridge aperture in the form of a film loop; and

securing the film loop to a take-up means for stripping the film fromthe cartridge upon operation of the take-up means.

abling the remaining steps only if the cartridge contains film of apredetermined type.

13. The method according to claim 11, and further comprising the step ofdisabling the cartridge pressure 12. The method according to claim 11,and further plate by depressing it with a roller.

including the step of sensing each film cartridge and en- $2763? UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Pat n 3.768.133 DatedOctn her 30 1973 Invent0r( Vincent 8. Scaopator and Allen S Yetter It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 14., lines (all and 65; delete "nanifold" and insert "0 Column 5,line 38 delete "71" and insert--72--.

Column 6, line 23, after "wheel" insert--72--.

Column 6, line 25,- delete "stake and st 84" and insert--and stake 84-'.I

Column 7, line 15, delete "THe" and insert--The--.

Column 8, line 28, delete "sensitve" and insert-sensitive--.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of June 197k.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. In a mechanism to facilitate stripping film from a film cartridge ofthe type having a film pressure plate and an antibackup ratchet, thecombination comprising: means for intermittently transporting a filmcartridge in sequence through first, second and third work stations;means at said first work station for temporarily disabling theantibackup ratchet and for advancing film in the form of a film loopfrom the cartridge; means at said second work station spaced from saidfirst work station for again temporarily disabling the antibackupratchet in the cartridge to allow the film loop to be pulled and thefilm stripped from the cartridge; and means at said third work stationspaced from said second work station for ejecting the strippedcartridge.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said filmadvancing means comprises a friction roller movable into drivingengagement with the film.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 whereinsaid film advancing means comprises a friction roller movable intodriving engagement with the film, a gear secured to said roller, and areciprocally movable gear rack for driving said gear.
 4. The inventionaccording to claim 1, and further comprising a film pressure platedisabling means for disabling the pressure plate when the cartridge isat said second station, and said ratchet disabling means comprises apower driven stake for piercing the cartridge and engaging and disablingthe ratchet.
 5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said ejectingmeans comprises a power operated pusher.
 6. The invention according toclaim 1 wherein said transporting means comprises a rotatable table forsupporting one or more cartridges in spaced relation, and means forindexing said table to intermittently advance the cartridge in sequencethrough said first, second and third work stations.
 7. The inventionaccording to claim 1 and further including sensing means at said firststation for sensing a predetermined cartridge, and in response theretoto enable said film advancing means and said ratchet disabling means. 8.In a mechanism to facilitate stripping film from a film cartridge of thetype having a film pressure plate at the cartridge exposure aperture forpressing the film against the aperture, and an antibackup one-wayratchet for preventing reverse rotation of the film, the combinationcomprising: a rotatable work table having a plurality of angularlyspaced receptacles for receiving film cartridges; means for indexingsaid work table to intermittently advance each film cartridge insequence through first, second and third work stations arranged aroundThe periphery of said work table; means including a friction roller atsaid first work station for engaging and advancing film in the form of afilm loop from a cartridge; means including a power driven stake at saidfirst and second work stations for piercing a cartridge and engaging andtemporarily disabling the antibackup ratchet; means including a pressureroller at said second work station for engaging and disabling the filmpressure plate in the cartridge to facilitate stripping the film fromthe cartridge when the film loop is grasped and pulled; and meansincluding a power driven pusher at said third work station spaced fromsaid second work station for ejecting the stripped cartridge.
 9. Theinvention according to claim 8 and further including sensing means atsaid first station for sensing a predetermined cartridge, and inresponse thereto to actuate said film advancing means.
 10. The inventionaccording to claim 8 and further including sensing means at said firststation movable from a retracted position to an advanced position forsensing a predetermined cartridge, first power means for said sensingmeans actuatable by the positioning of a cartridge at the first stationfor moving said sensing means to its advanced position and said frictionroller into engagement with the film, and second power means for saidfilm advancing means responsive to said sensing means when it senses apredetermined cartridge for driving said friction roller to advance filmfrom the cartridge.
 11. A method for stripping film from a filmcartridge of the type having a film pressure plate at the cartridgeexposure aperture for pressing the film against the aperture, and anantibackup ratchet for preventing reverse rotation of the film,comprising the steps of: temporarily disabling the antibackup ratchet bypiercing the cartridge with a stake; engaging the film adjacent the leadend of the film in the cartridge and advancing the film through thecartridge aperture in the form of a film loop; and securing the filmloop to a take-up means for stripping the film from the cartridge uponoperation of the take-up means.
 12. The method according to claim 11,and further including the step of sensing each film cartridge andenabling the remaining steps only if the cartridge contains film of apredetermined type.
 13. The method according to claim 11, and furthercomprising the step of disabling the cartridge pressure plate bydepressing it with a roller.